Transforming Challenges into Opportunities

1. Transforming Challenges into Opportunities Margaret (Peg) McManus, Ph.D. Associate Dean School of Arts and Sciences La Salle University www.lasalle.edu Council of Colleges of Arts and Sciences 45thrd Annual Meeting November 11, 2010

2. OR How to make lemonade out of lemons!

3. Topics • Overview of La Salle University • Challenges and opportunities • Best Practices

4. La Salle University Philadelphia, PA • 6,221 students, 300 full-time faculty • Urban, comprehensive, Master’s II • De La Salle Christian Brothers University http://www.lasalle2.org/

5. The Will to Excel: Strategic Initiatives • Creating academic distinctiveness and promoting student success • Support a Lasallian education rooted in: • Context – our urban location • Practicality – linking theory and practice • Social ends of learning – commitment to others • Expand our international dimension • Maximizing resources • Develop, promote, and support entrepreneurial activities, programs, and strategic initiatives

6. Challenges • Urban location • Theory and Practice • Perception of low level of intellectualism • Level of students’ writing • Social ends of learning • Aging core curriculum • International dimension • Resources

7. Urban Location

8. Urban Location • Subway series for city resources • Phreshman Philly Phind • Cultural Passport • Magic Gardens • Franklin Institute • Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts • African American Museum in Philadelphia

9. Intellectualism

10. Vision and mission • Collaboration • Community engagement • Innovation • Identity development

11. Campus wide programming • Explorer Café “By assembling a large group of critical thinkers from a variety of departments each week– students, faculty, and staff alike—to discuss crucial issues of justice and ethics in the arts, science, health, and business communities… well, this is the embodiment of our mission statement at La Salle.” William A. Price, Ph.D., Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry

12. Explorer Cafes • “Sustainable development across the globe” • “Medical ethics and biological ownership” • “Business ethics and environmental responsibility” • “Immigration law and the DREAM Act” • Panels, lectures, workshops • Film screenings, exhibitions, contests

13. Community Partnerships • Essential Question • Philadelphia Center • Science in Society • Course integration • Faculty and staff development

14. Students’ Writing

15. First Year Writing Program • Course sequence across student’s academic career • ENG 110 – shared knowledge base • ENG 210 – Interdisciplinary, academic research • 300 level course in the major • 400 level capstone course • Rhetorical focus (Theory of composition) • Connects curricula to social practices

16. Core Curriculum

17. Discussion of a Core Curriculum • Arts and Sciences ad hoc committee • Mission statement • Learning goals

18. International Dimension

19. International Dimension • Study Abroad sites • Lasallian network • La Salle Global Scholars (Fall 2011) • Travel Study courses • Interdisciplinary and interdivision courses

20. Maximizing Resources

21. Maximizing Resources • Campus expansion by 33% • West Campus Facilities for: • Psychological Clinic • LADDER Family Center • Art Studio • Main Campus Facilities for: • Psychology department

22. Best Practices for Success • Align with mission and strategic plan • Connect interdisciplinary & inter-school units • Maximize the use of minimal funding • Build on existing strengths • Seize opportunities • Involve faculty and staff from all ranks • Plan for future leadership

23. For further information, contact:Peg McManus, Associate Dean La Salle University mcmanus@lasalle.edu 215-951-1042